Clinton Support Builds as Tsongas Says He Won't Re-Enter the Race

Congressional support for Bill Clinton is growing in the wake of Paul E.
Tsongas' announcement Thursday that he would not re-enter the Democratic
presidential race.

Tsongas did not endorse Clinton, but he acknowledged that the Arkansas
governor would be the presumptive nominee.

Although former California Gov. Jerry Brown Jr. remains in the race, his
defeats in Tuesday's primaries have quieted some of the concern about
Clinton's viability.

A group of 16 or 17 House Democrats who met Wednesday to discuss the
Democratic candidates are now likely to back Clinton, said Rep. Don Edwards
(D-Calif.). All in the group are uncommitted "superdelegates" who are free
to support any candidate.

"I think a lot of us will endorse him," Edwards said Thursday. "Everybody
agrees he's getting a lot stronger."

Arkansas Rep. Beryl Anthony Jr., who is courting superdelegates for
Clinton, was hoping to meet Thursday night with congressional supporters of
Clinton to encourage them to lobby their colleagues and their constituents
on his behalf. He said that Clinton's House supporters increased by at
least two Thursday: A pair of lawmakers, whom he would not identify, told
him, "I'm ready to work with you."

Other lawmakers who remain uncommitted said they wanted to discuss
Clinton's position on various issues when he visits Capitol Hill, probably
in early May, following the congressional Easter recess and the
Pennsylvania primary April 28. Barring a downturn in Clinton's fortunes, it
appears increasingly likely he will get the superdelegate support he would
need to secure the nomination before the convention in July.

Texas Sen. Lloyd M. Bentsen -- who is often mentioned as an alternative to
Clinton -- may make an announcement in a week or two, according to an aide.
If he does, it is expected to be an endorsement of Clinton.

In all, there are 772 superdelegates, including party officials, governors,
and more than 200 members of Congress. Clinton has 200 superdelegates,
which together with the number he has won in the primaries gives him 1,267.
He needs 2,145 to be nominated.

It was those numbers that led Tsongas to forgo a second try, despite
finishing second Tuesday in New York and drawing votes in three other
states without having campaigned. "We did very well," he said at a news
conference in Boston, "but so did Bill Clinton."

"That winning removed the argument that my re-entry would rescue this
party," said Tsongas, who had suspended his campaign in late March for want
of money but reconsidered last weekend when it appeared Clinton might lose
in New York and Wisconsin. "Indeed, his winning took me back to the option
that I rejected three weeks ago -- the role of spoiler. I reject that
role."

Tsongas conceded that at least part of the vote he received Tuesday was a
"protest" rather than a vote for him to be president. Even so, Tsongas did
not seem ready to let go hope of becoming the nominee should a disaster
disable the Clinton campaign.

He refused to endorse Clinton while Brown was still in the race and said
that he would continue fundraising, albeit to retire his own campaign
debts. And, while he told his volunteers to stop working, he would not tell
the public not to vote for him in upcoming primaries. "My name will remain
on future ballots. If people wish to express support for my message and to
seek to become delegates, that is their choice, but I will not re-enter the
race."

Asked if he would consider being Clinton's running mate, Tsongas answered
coyly, "I would defer on that question."